LAKE FOREST, Ill.—Jay Cutler's steady targeting of Brandon Marshall, feared after the Week 1 victory, has become a fact. And it's a major reason the Bears' passing game is struggling after a fast start.

Cutler wanted to get on the same page with Marshall immediately to present a threat, but it's at the cost of bringing others into the offense. It's almost as if Marshall has been a crutch more than a threat.

Marshall has been targeted on one third of Cutler's 93 passes for 16 completions, and this overdependence has resulted in a predictable passing attack.

The easiest way for the Bears to solve the problem, especially with teams bracketing Marshall, is to target tight ends. The trouble is, it's a position they've neglected almost as much as their offensive line when it comes to acquiring talent.

They haven't had consistent production at the position in the passing game since trading Greg Olsen, and when it was apparent the new offense would require an all-around tight end threat, their only move was to draft an H-back type in Evan Rodriguez.

Cutler has targeted his tight ends just 15 times and only six have been completed.

Kellen Davis is at his best in the short to middle range but has run plenty of seam routes and patterns taking him beyond 15 yards. Matt Spaeth is a blocking tight end. The tight end who can actually get open downfield is second-year player Kyle Adams, but he has been used sparingly.

Look for more reps for Adams in the future as the Bears attempt to find a way to establish a receiving threat other than Marshall in the middle of the field.

INJURY UPDATE: Matt Forte's rapid recovery from an ankle sprain has led to the real possibility he'll play against Dallas. His ability to run and cut has been apparent at practice. Because backup Michael Bush took a big hit against St. Louis, his status may be in question as much as Forte's heading into the Monday night game. The Bears were going to be conservative with Forte, but a lack of healthy bodies at the position could force them to play him even if the ideal situation would be waiting one more week.